The Pima JTED Governing Board recently hired Assistant Principal Ryan J. Tkalcevic, Counselors Kelly M. Cobos and Leah Evans, and Instructional Coach Rachael Pemble to support its expanding operations at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman Center for Health and Medical Careers. The new Center is scheduled to open on the JTED @ The Bridges Campus in July 2024.
Ryan Tkalcevic will start his new position on July 1, wrapping up seven years of service as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for Catalina Foothills Unified School District. He holds an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University and an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix. Ryan’s expertise ranges from finance to operations and safety, and he has a proven track record of using positive communication to enhance teacher performance and improve student outcomes.
Kelly Cobos has nearly 20 years of experience working with underrepresented K-12, low-income, first-generation students and their families. She has been counseling students for the past decade at Desert View High School in the Sunnyside Unified School District. In addition, Kelly has served as a Senior Student Services Analyst for Mesa Community College, and more recently as a Health Sciences Program Advisor at Pima Community College.
Leah Evans has 15 years of experience as a counselor at Ironwood Ridge High School, helping students graduate with an education and career plan. In her role at Ironwood, Leah was responsible for helping hundreds of students enroll in Pima JTED and supported them until they completed their program. She enjoys collaborating with others to provide the best support and guidance possible. She started her career as a Behavioral Health Technician and worked as a therapist for local behavioral health providers.
Rachael Pemble established the Photography program in 2010 at Walden Grove High School, where she was evaluated as a highly effective teacher for more than seven years. She has served as CTE Department Chair and as the Sahuarita Unified School District Interim CTE Director. Rachael has experience with the Sahuarita USD Professional Development team mentoring and coaching new teachers. She was also an Instructional Coach as a member of the Sahuarita Professional Learning Institute.
The Mel and Enid Zuckerman Center for Health and Medical Careers will house JTED’s Licensed Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Health Care Foundations, and Public Health, Medicine & Wellness programs. The two-story, 50,000 square foot building will also feature The Connie Hillman Family Foundation Health and Wellness Center and the Potoff Private Philanthropy Veterinary Sciences Center.